Almost 90 students from Lancaster University Ghana have graduated in the first ever degree ceremony at the West African campus.
Lancaster is the first UK university to have established its own campus in sub-Saharan Africa in a partnership with Transnational Education.
The new campus aims to produce graduates who have the skills and knowledge to meet the needs of Ghanaian society and the wider African economy.
The graduation was presided over by the Chancellor of Lancaster University, the Rt Hon Alan Milburn, with a graduation address by the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Iain Walker.
The Chancellor said: “We are committed to producing the graduates Ghana needs to fulfill its ambition to grow economically, to be inclusive socially and to bring lasting prosperity to all of its people in the years to come.
“We provide opportunities for students - regardless of their background - to realise their aspirations in life. Lancaster’s philosophy is simple - what counts is not where you came from in the past from but whether you are prepared to give of yourself in order to create a fulfilling future. The University’s job is to give you that opportunity.”
Also in attendance were the Provost of Lancaster University Ghana Professor John Grainger, Deputy Provost Dr Cynthia Forson and Lancaster University’s Pro-Vice Chancellor International Professor Steve Bradley. The ceremony was also attended by the co-founders of Transnational Academic Group, Rakesh Wahi and Zafar Siddiqi.
An Alumni Recognition Award was presented to Lovelace Prempeh as Lancaster University’s first Ghanaian graduate.
He graduated from Lancaster University in 1968 with a degree in Economics and has served on several company boards. He is currently the Executive Chairman of Lillygold Energy Resources Limited and also chairs the board of Densu Industries.
Established in 2013, the campus allows students from across Africa to access Lancaster’s academic excellence in teaching and research.
The 2017 graduates have gained degrees in Economics and International Relations, Politics and International Relations, Marketing, Business Studies, Accounting and Finance, Computer Science and Law.
Plans are underway for a new campus to accommodate predicted growth in student numbers, plus new degrees from 2019 in Environmental Science, Agriculture, Biological Sciences and Engineering.